Exploring the vulnerability of frontline nurses to COVID-19 and its impact on perceived stress

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at exploring and comparing the vulnerability to COVID-19, demographic variables and perceived stress of frontline nurses. METHODS: This study employed a quantitative comparative-correlational approach. Using the snowball sampling technique, we conducted this study involving 176 frontline nurses from hospitals of the Hail region, KSA. RESULTS: The frontline nurses showed high perceived infectability (x = 4.36) and germ aversion (x = 5.65) but were moderately stressed (19.19). Of the examined variables, only years of experience resulted in significant differences in germ aversion (F [3] = 8.980, p < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in perceived infectability and stress. Perceived infectability (r = −0.152, p < 0.05) and germ aversion (r = 0.007, p > 0.05) were negatively correlated to perceived stress. CONCLUSION: In this study, frontline nurses perceived moderate to high stress vulnerability to COVID-19. There were significant differences in germ aversion based on the duration of experience. It is noteworthy that perceived vulnerability to COVID-19 did not impact stress. Paying attention to concerns of nurses can potentially improve preventive practices and positive behaviours in combating the pandemic.